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The operation
explained in
six steps
Congenital diaphragmatic hernia occurs when an unborn baby's diaphragm – the thin muscular sheet between the chest and the abdomen – does not develop properly
Hole in
diaphragm
Under-
developed
lung
Herniated
stomach
Abdominal organs can then push into the chest cavity and compress the lungs, preventing them from growing properly
2mm
diameter
Foetal endoscopic tracheal occlusion (Feto). At around 26-28 weeks, surgeons use a fetoscope to insert a tiny balloon through the womb and into the baby's mouth
Windpipe
Balloon inflated
The fetoscope positions the balloon, which is inflated with water until it blocks the airway
Reinflated lung begins to push stomach back
The balloon traps growth fluid inside the lungs, which helps them to expand and develop
Improved
lung
Airway
clear
After the balloon is removed at around 35 weeks, the baby’s chance of survival has increased from 15-20% to 50%
The operation
explained in
six steps
Hole in
diaphragm
Congenital diaphragmatic hernia occurs when an unborn baby's diaphragm – the thin muscular sheet between the chest and the abdomen – does not develop properly
Abdominal organs can then push into the chest cavity and compress the lungs, preventing them from growing properly
Underdeveloped
lung
Herniated
stomach
Foetal endoscopic tracheal occlusion (Feto).
At around 26-28 weeks, surgeons use a fetoscope to insert a tiny balloon through the womb and into the baby's mouth
2mm diameter
The fetoscope positions the balloon, which is
inflated with water until it blocks the airway
Balloon inflated
2mm diameter
Windpipe
The balloon traps growth fluid inside the lungs,
which helps them to expand and develop
Reinflated lung begins to push stomach back
Diaphragm
repaired separately
after birth
After the balloon is removed at around 35 weeks, the baby’s chance of survival has increased from 15-20% to 50%
Improved lung
Airway clear
The operation
explained in
six steps
Hole in
diaphragm
Congenital diaphragmatic hernia occurs when an unborn baby's diaphragm – the thin muscular sheet between the chest and the abdomen – does not develop properly
Herniated
stomach
Underdeveloped
lung
Abdominal organs can then push into the chest cavity and compress the lungs, preventing them from growing properly
2mm diameter
Foetal endoscopic
tracheal occlusion (Feto). At around 26-28 weeks, surgeons use a fetoscope to insert a tiny balloon through the womb and into the baby's mouth
The fetoscope positions
the balloon, which is inflated with water until it blocks the airway
Balloon inflated
to 5mm x 20mm
2mm diameter
Windpipe
Reinflated lung begins to push stomach back
The balloon traps growth fluid inside the lungs, which helps them to expand and develop
Diaphragm
repaired separately
after birth
Improved lung
Airway clear
After the balloon is removed at around 35 weeks, the baby’s chance of survival has increased from 15-20% to 50%
The operation
explained
Hole in
diaphragm
Congenital diaphragmatic hernia occurs when an unborn baby's diaphragm – the thin muscular sheet between the chest and the abdomen – does not develop properly
Herniated
stomach
Underdeveloped
lung
Abdominal organs can then push into the chest cavity and compress the lungs, preventing them from growing properly
2mm diameter
Foetal endoscopic
tracheal occlusion (Feto).
At around 26-28 weeks, surgeons use a fetoscope to insert a tiny balloon through the womb and into the baby's mouth
The fetoscope positions the balloon, which is inflated with water until it blocks the airway
Balloon inflated
to 5mm x 20mm
2mm diameter
Windpipe
Reinflated lung begins to push stomach back
The balloon traps growth fluid inside the lungs, which helps them to expand and develop
Diaphragm
repaired separately
after birth
Improved lung
Airway clear
After the balloon is removed at around 35 weeks, the baby’s chance of survival has increased from 15-20% to 50%